A number of home-grown small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have also attracted business from Expo. These include Delma Interiors, which is fitting out offices at the Expo site in Dubai South, in preparation for the next stage of development in 2016, and Miraj Media, Mixari Ladies Tailoring, both of which worked on the UAE Day celebrations at Expo 2015 Milan in October. Other SMEs working with Expo include local firm Time Lapse Middle East, which will produce time lapse photography of the site’s construction, and Panmed Energy, a Jordanian company which will provide hybrid generators.

Bayt.com won a tender for the provision and implementation of an online recruitment solution. The firm is the leading career site in the Middle East, with over 22 million people registered on its platform.

Thinkwell Group is a global design and production company whose clients include Disney, Smithsonian Institution, Samsung, Google and Virgin among others. It will be working with the Expo to create a compelling and enjoyable visitor experience.

NineSigma, a global innovation services firm, will be collaborating on the design and delivery of the Expo Live Challenges, an on-going innovation and partnership programme that will stimulate developments in Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability, Expo’s three subthemes.

Manal Al Bayat, Vice President for Engagement at Expo, said: “Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme is Connecting Minds, Creating the Future. We are already doing this by bringing together thought-leading companies from the UAE and globally, to prepare, build and operate an exceptional event that will be attended by millions who are inspired by what they see, and thrilled by the best possible visitor experience; leaving a positive legacy that benefits the whole nation. I am delighted that we will be working with these companies to achieve these objectives.”

Other awards made by Expo include Matrix Laboratories for the provision of geotechnical works in Dubai South, Parsons for infrastructure design services and Aecom for urban planning and the design of the public realm at the event’s site.

Expo has also procured market research services from YouGov, and the design and delivery of the ‘Future Labs’ workshop – which brought together global thought leaders to develop new ideas that could be shared with the world when the event opens its gates – by global consultancy McKinsey. The workshop explored a range of innovations that could be developed by Expo 2020, including potential exhibits and technologies which would enhance the visitor experience and instil a sense of wonder in those who come.

Manal Al Bayat said: “As we move into 2016, the scale and pace of the project will increase. We are committed to transparent procurement and a totally even playing field. Tenders are published online via our eSourcing portal. We want to select the best suppliers to work with – of any scale. Individuals and firms of all sizes, local or international, can register and bid for opportunities.”

Expo 2020 Dubai will play host to 25 million visits across the 6 months of the event. This will be the most international Expo in history, with 70% of visitors travelling internationally to attend the Expo.